Traffic HQ Smart Card System
The Benefits
for staff
PROVE YOUR REAL ABILITY
- An affordable and effective method of having your practical Traffic Management experience recognised.
- Make yourself more valuable and marketable to the industry.
- Increase your employability.
- Challenge yourself to develop more skills through experience.
for employers
RECOGNISE AND REWARD
- A simple and cost-effective recognition and reward scheme.
- FREE ACCESS to an online database of all of your staff that are linked to our programme.
- Encourage staff development, productivity, performance and loyalty.
- A useful recruitment tool
- Health and safety advantages.
for industry
IMPROVE AND GROW
- More people entering and staying in the industry
- More experienced staff with better skills.
- Staff striving for higher Traffic Management qualifications.
- Higher levels of Traffic Management performance out on the roads.
Skill + Experience = Expertise = Value
How the system works
The Aim of our system is to give workers the opportunity to show the Traffic Management industry what they can really do out there on the roads.
Right now we have Traffic Controllers and STMS with extensive industry experience and skill, holding the same NZTA warrant card as someone who hasn’t worked a single day on the roads. That hardly seems fair to the worker, and can make it tricky for Employers and Companies that are looking to hire staff. The way that proven skill is generally verified at present is by “reference checking” with previous employers. This information can sometimes be unreliable which then poses some risk to the new employer.
Our graduated Smart Card system acknowledges, recognises and rewards the worker for their experience in performing certain key tasks at TC, STMS & STMS Non Practicing and Practicing levels. This card then provides an indication to the industry as to what a specific worker has done out on the road.
Although you need to hold a current NZTA warrant card to participate in the Traffic HQ Smart card system, we need to reiterate that this is not an industry qualification. We are not assessing skills or competence, we are purely recognising the worker’s proven experience and the performance of certain job-specific tasks.
Depending on how much Traffic Management experience that a worker has demonstrated, they can be awarded a Smart Card at various different levels. Bronze and Silver can be achieved while holding Basic Traffic Controller Level 1, Gold can be achieved while holding STMS Level 1, Platinum can be achieved while holding STMS Level 2/3 NP and Black can be achieved while holding STMS Level 2/3P. We also have a range of endorsements that can be added to your card if you have completed experience in other key areas of Traffic Management. eg. Producing Traffic Management Plans (TMP), Site Auditing, Mobile Operations etc.
Workers can enter the system at various levels provided that they currently hold the relevant NZTA warrant card, and their proven experience can be substantiated by having their application signed off by an Approved Verifier.
ENTRY LEVELS.
Holders of Basic Traffic Control Level 1 can not enter the Card System any higher than Bronze.
Holders of STMS Level 1 and STMS 2/3 NP can not enter the Card System any higher than Gold.
Holders of STMS Level 2/3 P can not enter the Card System any higher than Platinum.
(Exceptions can be made at the discretion of Traffic HQ)
Getting started
Once your information has been submitted and accepted, you will be set up on our online system and issued with an ID Number and instructions about how to activate your online User Account. Please note that you must have a valid email address in order to sign up and you will need to have an active account and valid Traffic HQ ID number in order to apply for a Smart Card.
From here you will be able to start applying for your Traffic HQ Smart Cards and/or Endorsements based on your level of proven experience.
If you are an Employer or Business wishing to Register your staff and apply for cards for them, then we can set you up as an Organisation on our system. You will then be able to sign up staff, submit card applications for your staff, and also view details of all staff linked to your organisation on our online database. You will be able to easily see the current cards levels of your staff, and have a readily accessible verified record of their traffic management experience. We can also set you up for invoicing to make the payment process easier.
Access to this database is FREE for organisations that are signed up to the system.
Premium Membership
To start applying for Traffic HQ Smart Cards you will need to upgrade from a Basic Membership to a Premium Membership. Traffic HQ cards are loaded with “state of the art” Smart Card technology that will give you access to some awesome extra features and services. You will be able to access this information from by scanning a QR code on the back of your card. When you apply for your first Traffic HQ Smart Card, you will be charged a fee to upgrade to a Premium Membership. Details of Fees are provided below. With Premium Membership, you will have 24/7 access to your online information, making your card an even more powerful tool.
Applying for Traffic HQ Smart Cards and Endorsements
You will need to complete an Application Form for each and any Card or Endorsement that you wish to apply for, and this application must be signed off by an Approved Verifier (See more info about the Verification Process below). Each Card Level and Endorsement has it’s own Application Form and you can access these forms through your online account or by contacting us.
Once we receive your completed application we will check it to ensure that your Verifier is approved. This form will then be uploaded to your online account for future reference. Once your application has been verified, and payment has been made or arranged, we will dispatch your Traffic HQ Smart Card to your postal address. Your online information will be updated to reflect your current verified level of experience and the colour of your Traffic HQ Smart Card will be updated in the “virtual world” as well as the “real world”. The process works exactly the same way when you are applying for any Endorsements.
Fees
Traffic HQ charges fees for the administration of our card system and the production of Traffic HQ cards. We also charge annual fees for our Premium Membership that give you access to our Smart Card technology and online tools and services. We consider our fees to be extremely reasonable and we aim to make our products and services as affordable and cost-effective as possible. Our fees are as follows:
Premium Membership $39.00 inc GST per annum (paid in advance)
Traffic HQ Card Application Fee $69.00 inc GST per card level
(Includes administration, production and dispatch of your card to any postal address within NZ)
Endorsement Application Fee $25.00 inc GST per endorsement
(Includes administration and the addition of the Endorsement to your current level of Traffic HQ card. An updated Traffic HQ card is produced and dispatched to any postal address within NZ)
The Verification Process
In order to have some credibility behind our Card System, we are relying on the integrity of Approved Verifiers who will need to be able to verify the accuracy of Applications that are submitted by traffic management staff.
Approved Verifiers need to be in a position where they can reasonably verify that a traffic manager has indeed completed the required tasks and experience required to earn the card they are applying for. They will often be STMS staff, team leaders, supervisors, managers or employers.
Approved Verifiers must be also signed up to the Traffic HQ Card System before they can verify applications for Traffic HQ cards.
Approved Verifiers can be nominated by Employers and/or Businesses and they are required to complete a brief Application Form. The form contains Terms and Conditions that have been designed to maintain the integrity of the process as best as possible. If there is any concern regarding the performance of any Approved Verifier, we have a Complaints Process in place where we will investigate and address any issues or complaints.
Card Levels
The Bronze Card reflects that the holder has been out on a RCA network performing traffic management duties in accordance with the NZTA Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management. These traffic management duties have been carried out under the direct supervision of a Level 1 currently certified STMS and cover all the supervised activities and job duties that a Level 1 Traffic controller can carry out under the COPTTM guidelines including reading a TMP and filling out the relevant NZTA COPTTM site forms. The Verifier/ Supervisor has assurance that the card holder has completed the minimum amount of “on the ground” hours as reflected in the Bronze Card criteria. The “experience breakdown” for this card is outlined on the Bronze Card Application form that can be obtained once you are a Traffic HQ Member. If you are not yet a member, visit the Sign Up page to set up a Basic Membership for Free or call us on 0508 727744.
The Bronze Card holder will have achieved the following:
1. Has a current COPTTM Level 1 Basic TC Warrant Card (or higher) issued by an NZTA approved trainer.
2. Has spent time on any Level 1, Level 1 Low Volume or Level 1 Low Risk road setting up/breaking down and monitoring temporary traffic management under the full time direct supervision of a Level 1 currently certified STMS as per the Bronze Card criteria. (Minimum 200 hours)
The Silver Card reflects that the holder has been out on a RCA network performing traffic management duties in accordance with the NZTA Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management. These traffic management duties have been carried out under both the direct supervision and indirect supervision of a Level 1 currently certified STMS and cover all the supervised activities and job duties that a Level 1 Traffic Controller can carry out under the COPTTM guidelines including reading a TMP and filling out the relevant NZTA COPTTM site forms. The Verifier/ Supervisor has assurance that the Card Holder has completed the minimum amount of “on the ground” hours as reflected in the Silver Card criteria. The Card Holder has experience to be “in charge” of a site as the delegated traffic controller in the absence of a warranted Level 1 STMS. The “experience breakdown” for this card is outlined on the Silver Card Application form that can be obtained once you are a Traffic HQ Member. If you are not yet a member, visit the Sign Up page to set up a Basic Membership for Free or call us on 0508 727744.
The Silver Card holder will have achieved the following:
1. Has a current COPTTM Level 1 Basic TC Warrant (or higher) issued by an NZTA approved trainer.
2. Currently holds a Bronze Traffic HQ Card or has fulfilled the Bronze Card criteria.
3. Has spent time on any Level 1, Level 1 Low Volume or Level 1 Low Risk road setting up/breaking down and monitoring temporary traffic management under the full time direct and indirect supervision of a Level 1 currently certified STMS as per the Silver card criteria (minimum 400 hours).
The Gold card reflects that the holder has been out on a RCA network performing traffic management duties in accordance with the NZTA Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management. These traffic management duties have been carried out as a Level 1 currently certified STMS and cover all the supervised activities and job duties that a level 1 STMS can carry out under the COPTTM guidelines including reading a TMP and filling out the relevant NZTA COPTTM site forms. The Verifier/ Supervisor has assurance that the Card Holder has completed the minimum amount of on the ground hours as reflected in the Gold Card criteria. The Card Holder has experience to be “in charge” of sites as the Level 1 STMS including managing multiple sites via onsite TCs and the direct management of multiple member crews.The “experience breakdown” for this card is outlined on the Gold Card Application form that can be obtained once you are a Traffic HQ Member. If you are not yet a member, visit the Sign Up page to set up a Basic Membership for Free or call us on 0508 727744.
The Gold Card holder will have achieved the following:
1. Has a current COPTTM Level 1 STMS Warrant (or higher) issued by an NZTA approved trainer.
2. Currently holds a Silver Traffic HQ Card or has fulfilled the Silver Card criteria.
3. Has spent time on any Level 1, Level 1 Low Volume or Level 1 Low Risk road setting up/breaking down and monitoring temporary traffic management as per the Silver card criteria (minimum 520 hours).
TThe Platinum card reflects that the holder has been out on a RCA network performing traffic management duties in accordance with the NZTA Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management. These traffic management duties have been carried out as a L2/3 Non practicing currently certified STMS working on Level 2/3 roads as a team member and is in training to become a L2/3 P STMS covering all the activities and job duties that a level 2/3 NP STMS can carry out under the COPTTM guidelines (except those activities covered under the endorsements section). The Verifier/ Supervisor has assurance that the Card Holder has completed the minimum amount of “on the ground” hours as reflected in the Platinum Card criteria. These traffic management duties have been carried out as a L2/3 Non practicing currently certified STMS working on Level 2/3 Road as a team member. The “experience breakdown” for this card is outlined on the Platinum Card Application form that can be obtained once you are a Traffic HQ Member. If you are not yet a member, visit the Sign Up page to set up a Basic Membership for Free or call us on 0508 727744.
The Platinum Card holder will have achieved the following:
1. Has a current COPTTM Level 2/3 NP STMS Warrant (or higher) issued by an NZTA approved trainer.
2. Currently holds a Gold Traffic HQ Card or has fulfilled the Gold Card criteria.
3. Has spent time on any Level 2/3 road setting up/breaking down and monitoring temporary traffic management under the full time direct and indirect supervision of a Level 2/3P currently certified STMS as per the Platinum card criteria (minimum 520 hours).
The Black Card reflects that the holder has been out on a RCA network performing traffic management duties in accordance with the NZTA Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management. These traffic management duties have been carried out as a currently certified L2/3 Practicing STMS working on Level 2/3 roads as a Team Leader covering all the activities and job duties that a level 2/3 P STMS can carry out under the COPTTM guidelines (except those activities covered under the endorsements section). The Verifier/ Supervisor has assurance that the Card Holder has completed the minimum amount of “on the ground hours” as reflected in the Black Card criteria. The “experience breakdown” for this card is outlined on the Black Card Application form that can be obtained once you are a Traffic HQ Member. If you are not yet a member, visit the Sign Up page to set up a Basic Membership for Free or call us on 0508 727744.
The Black Card holder will have achieved the following:
1. Has a current COPTTM Level 2/3P STMS Warrant issued by an NZTA approved trainer.
2. Currently holds a Platinum Traffic HQ Card or has fulfilled the Platinum card criteria.
3. Has spent time on any Level 2/3 road setting up/breaking down and monitoring temporary traffic management as a Team Leader as per the Black card criteria (minimum 1280 hours).
The Traffic management White card is issued to those members that have achieved an Endorsement/s but do not necessarily qualify for the “practical experience” cards.
An example is a TMP writer that may have very little “on road” experience. Details about Endorsements are provided below.
The White Card holder will have achieved the following:
1. Has a relevant current COPTTM Warrant card issued by an NZTA approved trainer.
2. Has fulfilled the criteria for 1 or more Endorsements.
Level 2/3 TMP Production (L2/3 TMP)
LV/LR – LV – Level 1 Site Auditing (L1 AUD)
Level 2/3 Site Auditing (L2/3 AUD)
LV/LR – LV – Level 1 Mobile (L1 MOB)
Level 2/3 Mobile (L2/3 MOB)
Level 2/3 TMA Driver/ Operator (L2/3 TMA)
Level 2/3 AWVMS Operator (L2/3 AWVMS)
Level 2/3 Implementer (L2/3 IMP)
LV/LR – LV – Level 1 Inspector (L1 INS)
Level 2/3 Inspector (L2/3 INS)
